Who painted Study of Horses?

Study of Horses was painted by Edgar Degas in 1886.

Where can I see Study of Horses?

Study of Horses is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study of Horses?

Study of Horses is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Study of Horses

Edgar Degas , 1886

Study of Horses is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1886, *Study of Horses* is a drawing by French artist Edgar Degas executed in charcoal and graphite on brown paper. Though often linked to the Impressionist circle, Degas identified more with realist principles. The work exemplifies his sustained interest in capturing the dynamics of living forms, extending beyond his more familiar ballet subjects to the equine realm.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the anatomy and motion of horses, presenting them in a series of gestural studies rather than a narrative scene. Degas emphasizes the interplay of muscle and posture, suggesting a preoccupation with the physicality of movement and the underlying structure that governs the animal’s locomotion.

Technique & Style

Employing charcoal’s rich, smoky tones alongside the finer lines of graphite, Degas builds volume through layered strokes on the warm hue of the paper. The drawing balances swift, expressive marks that convey motion with precise detailing of the horses’ forms, reflecting his reputation for meticulous draftsmanship and his ability to render kinetic energy on a static surface.

History & Provenance

The piece originates from Degas’s late‑career period, a time when he increasingly turned to animal studies. While specific ownership records are limited, the drawing has been catalogued among Degas’s extensive works on paper, illustrating his broader exploration of subjects beyond the urban ballet scenes that dominate his oeuvre.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edgar Degas

Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.